Detained NZer in Israel set to be deported

Nicola Enchmarch. Photo / Supplied

The New Zealand woman detained after an Israeli raid on an aid flotilla headed for Gaza is about to be deported from Israel, but her destination is not known.

The Israeli Embassy in Wellington said Nicola Enchmarch was with other detainees aboard buses on their way to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

The statement, issued about 6pm, did not say where she would be sent.

New Zealand's Honorary Consul in Israel visited Ms Enchmarch yesterday (local time) and reported that she was being well treated and was in good health.

Her family members in Auckland have asked for privacy and have said they will not comment further.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said this afternoon latest reports from Israel were that Ms Enchmarch was likely to be deported within the next 48 hours.

He said he didn't know what her destination would be.

Israel announced earlier that it would deport the hundreds of foreign activists detained on Monday, as international pressure against its actions mounts.

The New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, which is accredited to Israel, has been in contact with the Israeli authorities on the deportation process.

At least nine activists were killed when Israeli marines stormed a Turkish ship as a flotilla moved to breach the blockade to supply aid to residents in Gaza.

Others, including Ms Enchmarch, were captured and detained in Israeli custody.

Ms Enchmarch had made it clear she wanted to remain with members of her group, aid organisation Viva Palestina, rather than be immediately deported.

Mr McCully met Israeli Ambassador Shemi Tzur yesterday as the backlash here and internationally intensified against Israel's heavy-handedness.

Mr McCully said he made the Government's concern clear, including its support of an international investigation, but was reluctant to make accusations about the clash until there were more answers.

The Israeli Embassy in Wellington said it was regrettable that lives were lost, but maintained the blame lay with those who tried to violate a blockade.

A statement released by the embassy said the flotilla was warned not to advance, and while five of the six ships complied, one defied the order.

In Parliament today Mr McCully faced questions from Green Party MP Keith Locke about why the Government wasn't calling for an immediate end to the Israeli blocked of Gaza.

"It is very clear that the reason for the blockade being in place is because Israel has concerns for its security," Mr McCully said.

"The obvious way forward has always been for Hamas to guarantee the cessation of attacks and for Israel to life the blockade."

Mr McCully said both those issues had to be dealt with at the same time.

While Israel claims its commandos were attacked first, the flotilla's organisers maintain the Israeli forces simply opened fire.

International reports suggested most of those killed were Turkish. That country's government has slammed Israel, withdrawing its ambassador there and claiming Israel has no intention to help try to restore peace in the region.

Several other nations have been quick to back Turkey's stance, and Israeli embassies have been targeted by protesters around the world.

- NZPA